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Hey Tallahassee, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Mayor race showdown, storytime under the stars, and a totaled compost truck + lots of fun things to do for free.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A pivotal city election: With no incumbent, Tallahassee will elect a new mayor as Loranne Ausley, Michael Shawn Foust, Jeremy Matlow, and Daryl Parks split on TMH’s FSU transfer and $200 million Airport Gateway -- read the full story.
Political pressure mounts: Hope Florida’s grand jury report remained sealed after objections, as a watchdog said Ashley Moody likely objected while her campaign welcomed release, and Alexander Vindman urged her to support disclosure -- read the full story.
Small business setback: Compost Community’s only work truck was totaled, jeopardizing weekly food-scrap pickups across Tallahassee. The small business has borrowed vehicles and launched a fundraiser as customers rally to keep service going -- read how they’re responding.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Five venues, one night: From Ken’s Tavern to Public House, Redrocks, TENN Nightclub & Lounge, and Yianni’s, The Tally Strip packs your week with dancing, live shows, and bottle service if you’re feeling fancy. Consider it a choose your own night out that even posts the receipts every Tuesday with fresh Facebook photos.
Local fairway therapy: Need an easy-on-the-ego round this week? Hilaman Golf Course is Tallahassee’s premier municipal 18-hole, a par 72 that winds through some of the city’s most beautiful landscapes with wide-open fairways and four tee boxes so every swing level feels welcome. Grab a tee time, browse the pro shop, call it self-care.
A little local sin: Operating for over 25 years, Au Péché Mignon French Pastry Shop turns European classics into daily temptations with handmade pastries, macarons, breads, quiche, sandwiches, chocolates, pies, and hot or cold beverages. Check it out this week when you want a treat that feels fancy yet totally earned after surviving Tallahassee’s humidity.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🪑 Chair Yoga @ Lafayette Presbyterian Church | Wednesday (8/5) at 1:00 PM – Ready to improve your balance without wrestling a mat? Weekly Chair Yoga at Fellowship Hall features Jennifer Stone, respected Tallahassee yoga teacher, guiding breath, posture, and range of motion. Free, for seniors and welcoming to all, with optional 1 to 2 lb weights, water encouraged.
🪕 First Thursdays Bluegrass Jam @ Blue Tavern | Thursday (8/6) at 5:00 PM – A monthly bluegrass jam takes over the tavern, or the courtyard if the weather behaves. It’s free, all ages, and all skill levels, with fiddles, banjos, and the occasional detour into old-time, swing, or whatever someone learned yesterday. Front porch vibes, no splinters.
📸 Free Back to School Photos @ Keller Williams Town & Country Realty | Friday (8/7) at 2:00 PM – Think the driveway pic with the lopsided backpack will cut it this year? Free back-to-school photos with a professional setup are open to everyone, from nervous kindergarteners to too-cool seniors, and the results are quick, cheerful, and frame-worthy, courtesy of local photographer Courtney Wahl.
🎉 First Friday’s @ Railroad Square Art District | Friday (8/7) at 6:00 PM – First Friday at Railroad Square, a longtime favorite and Tallahassee’s monthly ritual where creative local businesses shine and the neighborhood shows up. Stroll the studios and shops, nod at three people you recognize, then bask in people-watching, nostalgia, and the smug joy of buying local.
🥕 Tallahassee Farmers Market @ Cornerstone Presbyterian Church | Saturday (8/8) at 8:00 AM – Skip the grocery store shuffle for Tallahassee’s longest-running farmers market, a Saturday morning ritual where dogs get the attention, and you’ll run into three neighbors. Seasonal produce, meats, baked goods, flowers, mushrooms, and sips, year-round, with easy parking by Red Elephant.
🎳 Tallahassee Youth Bowling Kick Off @ Capital Lanes | Saturday (8/8) at 10:00 AM – Local lanes are lacing up for the youth league kickoff, with free bowling and a no-stress crash course on how it all works. Bring the kids, claim the bumpers, and call every gutter ball a teachable moment. Friendly vibes, free frames, classic shoe spray.
🌌 Storytime Under the Stars @ Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee | Sunday (8/9) at 6:00 PM – Classic bedtime stories under a sky of twinkling planetarium stars, yes please. A live narrator reads picture books while the pages spill across the dome, so the back row can admire the art and follow along. Free, no tickets, just bring your library whisper.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Tallahassee report Weather forecastToday — High: 91°F — Low: 73°F — Precip: 66%
Showers and thunderstorms likely after 2pm. Mostly sunny. High near 91, with temperatures falling to around 87 in the afternoon. Heat index values as high as 102. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tomorrow — High: 92°F — Low: 73°F — Precip: 46%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. South southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 50%. This house is wildThis unique mini estate spans 4.89 private acres with horse potential, just minutes from downtown Tallahassee. Rich cherry, pine, and cypress woodwork set the tone, while a commercial-grade multi-level atrium pours in light. Four bedrooms, four baths, dual oversized garages, a copper roof, tropical pool, and waterfall create a standout blend of character, space, and resort-style living.
Take a peek inside → |
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